Escena

Escena is a 450-acre master-planned gated community in northeast Palm Springs, California, built around a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole championship golf course ranked among the top public courses in the state. Developed since 2006, the community is planned for approximately 594 single-family homes and features a distinctive modernist architectural vocabulary — sleek contemporary and mid-century-inspired designs that play off the dramatic San Jacinto Mountain backdrop. Escena is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, each built by a different builder at a different time. Early phases were developed by Lennar and Alta Verde Group (the latter featuring award-winning Anthony Poon designs), followed by Toll Brothers. Active new-home phases include Nola at Escena by Toll Brothers (40 single-story homes, 2,277–2,402 sq ft, pool included, priced in the high $1.2Ms), Vesta at Escena by Richmond American (52 single-story homes up to 2,288 sq ft on a 17-acre parcel), and additional Toll Brothers product in the 2,598–2,705 sq ft range. Resale homes across the community range from roughly 1,900 to 3,800 square feet, with 2 to 4 bedrooms and open-concept layouts featuring luxury finishes, expansive sliding glass walls, and indoor-outdoor flow. Many homes have private pools and spas, and a number are directly on the fairway with mountain or golf course views. The centerpiece of Escena is the guard-gated, 24-hour-secured entry leading to the Nicklaus Design course and the striking mid-century modernist clubhouse, home to Escena Lounge & Grill — one of Palm Springs' most popular indoor/outdoor dining destinations. The golf club is privately owned and open to the public (not restricted to residents), and is ranked among California's top public courses. Beyond golf, resident amenities include a fitness center, walking and biking trails, a gated dog park with hydration station, game room, tennis, and an eclectic collection of outdoor sculpture throughout the community by artists including Steven Rieman, Frank Morbillo, John Olenik, Virgil Villers, and Bruce Niemi. A full-time activities director organizes events including happy hours, Sunday brunch, live entertainment, golf outings, and themed holiday gatherings, creating an active social calendar. Escena is not age-restricted, but its architectural style, golf-centric lifestyle, low-maintenance living, and social programming attract a strong retirement and second-home buyer demographic. The HOA handles grounds maintenance, common areas, and the gated entry; a 30-day minimum rental period limits short-term rentals and helps preserve neighborhood quiet. Location is one of Escena's biggest draws — it sits off East Vista Chino in northeast Palm Springs, less than 10 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport and minutes from downtown Palm Canyon Drive with its restaurants, galleries, and cultural attractions. The community is managed by Associa/Desert Resort Management.